President Yoweri Museveni has officially accepted the role of Chairperson of the African Peer Review Forum (APR Forum) for the 2026–2028 term. The announcement was made during the 35th Ordinary Session of the forum of Heads of State and Government, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Vice President Jessica Alupo represented Uganda.

"I accept the responsibility of Chairperson of the African Peer Review Forum of Heads of State and Government," President Museveni said in his acceptance speech.

He thanked his predecessor, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria, and the people of Algeria for their leadership, highlighting that under President Tebboune, the forum achieved key milestones, including advancing the Africa Credit Rating Agency and completing multiple Country and Targeted Review Reports.

What is the African Peer Review Forum?

The APR Forum is a continental platform where African countries voluntarily participate in peer reviews to promote good governance, accountability, and transparency. Each chairperson plays a critical role in guiding the forum’s agenda and highlighting challenges facing member states.

President Museveni emphasized the ongoing challenges:
"Africa’s problem is not a lack of vision, but the persistence of binding constraints that prevent implementation from translating into results."

By chairing the forum, Uganda gains a platform to contribute to governance reforms and influence policy discussions across Africa.

What is the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)?

The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is a continental framework established by the African Union in 2003 to promote good governance, democracy, and economic development in African countries. Under the APRM, participating nations undergo peer reviews of their political, economic, corporate, and social policies, producing Country Review Reports and Targeted Review Reports.

The mechanism encourages transparency, accountability, and policy reform, while enabling peer learning among African governments. The African Peer Review Forum (APR Forum) brings together heads of state to discuss these reviews, set priorities, and guide implementation across the continent.

Why Uganda’s Leadership Matters

Uganda’s new role as APR Forum chairperson increases its regional influence and gives the country a voice in shaping continental governance priorities. The forum reviews progress on national development plans, identifies obstacles, and encourages countries to adopt best practices.

This leadership role also allows Uganda to showcase its commitment to transparency and accountability, potentially attracting international attention and partnerships for governance initiatives.

Uganda’s Strategic Priorities as APR Forum Chair

President Museveni outlined that Uganda’s chairmanship will focus on three interrelated strategic priorities:

- Strengthening the implementation focus of APRM reviews and recommendations.

- Deepening peer learning around Africa’s critical governance and development bottlenecks.

- Enhancing institutional effectiveness and sustainability of the APRM.

These priorities emphasize Uganda’s commitment to practical governance improvements and support the continent’s goal of advancing transparent, accountable, and effective leadership.

Implications for Governance and Policy

The forum provides a structured space for African leaders to:

- Share best practices in governance

- Evaluate policy implementation challenges

- Coordinate reforms and strategic initiatives

Uganda’s tenure as chairperson could strengthen diplomatic relations and boost the country’s profile in continental decision-making processes. It also highlights Uganda’s contribution to initiatives like the Africa Credit Rating Agency, which aims to support economic stability across Africa.